Goldcar offers affordable car rentals directly from Santander Airport, providing an efficient way to explore northern Spain. Booking ahead ensures vehicle availability and minimizes delays at the counter. The process is straightforward: select your car online, choose any extras you need, and bring the required documents with you.
A range of vehicles is available at this location. Smaller models are ideal for short trips, city driving, or solo travel. Mid-size cars and wagons offer more luggage space or comfort for additional passengers. SUVs suit longer drives or rural roads. Some models come with automatic transmission. Depending on the time of year, hybrid or electric vehicles may also be in stock.
When you book in advance, pricing is locked in and displayed clearly. There are no surprise charges when you pick up the car. To collect your vehicle, you’ll need a valid driver’s license, a passport or government-issued ID, and a credit or debit card in the main driver’s name. Once your documents are confirmed, keys are handed over and your rental begins.
Where to pick up your car in Santander
Upon landing at Santander Airport, exit the terminal and head to the Meeting Point, which is located inside the car park, right by the payment machines. There, our free shuttle service (courtesy bus) will pick you up to take you directly to our Goldcar station, located just a few minutes from the terminal. Our staff will check your reservation, verify your documents, and hand over the keys so you can start your journey without delay.
Returning the car is just as easy. Simply return to our facilities on the day of your departure. After inspecting the vehicle and collecting the keys, our free shuttle will immediately transfer you back to the airport's departures terminal so you can continue with your flight plans hassle-free.
Explore Santander and northern Spain by car
Renting a car in Santander gives you access to places that are hard to reach by public transportation. The region includes beaches, rural towns, and scenic drives. Roads are well maintained and easy to follow.
In Santander itself, you’ll find several points of interest, including Magdalena Palace, the city beaches, and a coastal walkway. Public parking is available in garages and designated street zones. Downtown areas have daytime restrictions, so check signage. Outside the center, parking is easier and often free.
Day trips by car from Santander include:
Castro Urdiales – A historic port town with a Gothic church, medieval ruins, and waterfront restaurants. About an hour’s drive.
Laredo – A beach town with a long shoreline and a walkable old town.
Santillana del Mar – A preserved medieval village with cobblestone streets and a historic monastery.
Picos de Europa National Park – Further inland, great for hiking or nature drives. Best accessed by car.
Cabárceno Natural Park – A large open-air zoo with animals in natural enclosures. Best visited with your own vehicle.
Most roads in the region are toll-free. Routes labeled “A” are standard highways without tolls. Toll roads are marked “AP” and are generally located farther east or south. Gas stations are easy to find and accept all major cards. For remote routes, refueling ahead of time is a good idea.
Traffic in northern Spain is light compared to larger cities. Roads are clearly marked and speeds are posted in kilometers per hour. Speed limits and traffic laws are enforced using road cameras. Roundabouts are common at intersections. Navigation systems and mobile maps work well throughout the region.
